Mumbai: Retracted confession read in court

The Mumbai attacks left more than 170 people dead

The prosecution in the Mumbai attacks trial has read out in court parts of a confession said to have been made by the sole surviving suspected gunman, Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab, before a magistrate in February 2009.

Mr Qasab's lawyer has filed for its retraction, saying it was extracted through coercion and force.

The following is what the prosecution read in court, translated from Hindi, and no further details or clarification can be given on names and places.

When we were in Sarai Alamgir [a town in Pakistan's north Punjab province] at that time people from Jamaat ud Dawa used to conduct camps in different places. We used to go there and listen to them at those camps. At that time we both decided to take training for jihad [holy war].

During these 21 days we were trained in exercise, running, mountain climbing and along with that how to dismantle, assemble and use Klashan, rifles and pistols.

Question
- What do you mean by Klashan?

Answer
- Klashan means AK-47.

During these two and half months we were made into absolute jihadis. Along with that we were trained to dismantle, assemble and use Klashan, rifles, pistols, rocket launchers and hand grenades.

Apart from that we were trained in the use of satellite phones, GPS systems, map reading, how to climb mountains after starving for 60 hours with heavy weights on our back.

As this training was very difficult and strict, 10 mujahideens left the training and ran away. Abu Maviya and Abu Hanjala were the masters during this training period.

Then 15 of us left to Marqas Taiba, Muridke [a district in Pakistan] for training of Daura e Ribbat.

This training went on for a month. During this training we were taught the work of an intelligence agency. It included how to gather information about targets, how to keep a watch on the target, how to follow him and how to mislead if we were followed...

During the mission your identity should not be found out. Also how to mislead by giving false identity. Abu Umar Saeed had special attention on this training and used to inquire about our training frequently.

During our training at sea, we were taught how to use maps, how to gauge the depth of the sea, how to use GPS to make a sea route, how to use fishermen's nets, how to pilot a ship.

Question
- Why were you taught how to use fishermen's nets.

Answer
- While crossing the sea, navy guards may suspect us. So to mislead them by telling that we were fishermen, we were trained in this.

On 13th day of Ramadan, Amir Hafiz Saeed and Zaki Ur Rehman Lakhvi, Muzammil alias Yusuf, Abu al-Kama, Abu Hamza, Abu Kahfa and Abu Umar Saeed called to us to the office of Baitulmuza.

There Abu Hafiz Saeed said: "Now it is to do jihad. We have to decide how to attack Hindustan [India]." After that Zaki Ur Rehman said: "India's financial stronghold is Mumbai so it is important to attack Mumbai. All you mujahideens have acquired good sea training. We will attack Mumbai using the sea route.

At that time Major General Sahab came. He hugged Amir Hafiz Saeed and Zaki Ur Rehman and they went further away and he was talking to them.

After some time he came to us and Zaki Ur Rehman said that Major General Sahab would like to see our preparation.

Immediately we were given one klashan each with a full magazine. Major General Sahab told Amir Hafiz Saeed to put up targets. Amir Hafiz Saeed asked Abu Kahfa to put up 10 targets.

The major said: "When I say fire once, fire one shot and when I say fire twice do rapid fire." Ten of us took positions and the major inspected our positions and then said "fire".

We immediately fired a single shot. Except for Imran Babar everyone fired on target.

Amir Hafiz Saeed scolded Imran. The major asked Imran to do target practice. Again we were asked to take positions and we did so.

The major said fire twice. The major then checked the targets closely and said: "Who fired target four?" I said: "I did." He said: "You have completely destroyed target four. I am very happy."

He told the others: "You have to destroy more using fewer bullets."

He pointed towards me and said: "Your firing should be like this mujahideen" and he left.

After that Amir Hafiz Saeed and Zaki Ur Rehman made five "baddiyan" among the 10 of us.

Question
- What is baddiyan?

Answer
- Baddiyan means a pair.

Me and Ismail

Imran Babar and Nasir

Sohaib and Naseer Ahmed

Hafiz alias Hayaji and Javed

Abdul Rehman (Chota) and Fahad Ullah

At that time Zaki Ur Rehman also told us that on the 27th day of Ramadan you have to do a fidayeen attack on Mumbai.

Then Amir Hafiz Saeed said one Indian boat would have to be hijacked to go to Mumbai from Karachi.

You have to take the Indian boat to Mumbai. India's financial strength is because of foreign visitors. So to destroy the financial power you have to attack places which are frequented by foreigners and other places as well.

Zaki Ur Rehman told us that it was time for jihad and said that their community had been fighting in Kashmir for the last 15 years. Despite that, the Indian government has not freed Kashmir.

Now we have to fight a war with India and claim Kashmir back. Then Zaki Ur Rehman asked if we were ready for the war. We all said we were ready to fight. At that time Abu al-Kama said that we have to attack the big cities of India.

We will start a war within India so that it will become hollow internally. Whoever dies in this mission will be blessed with heaven.

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